A Moral Question

Posted by Les on Thursday, September 22, 2005 at 11:09 AM. Read 1312 times. Tags:
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OK, normally I don’t care much for the supposedly tough moral questions that folks often email to each other because usually they’re complete crap, but this one my mother forwarded has struck a chord with me so I’m breaking my usual rule and posting it for your consideration:

This test only has one question, but it’s a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous.

Please scroll down slowly and give due consideration to each line.

You are in Florida, Miami to be specific. There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding. This is a flood of biblical proportions. You are a photojournalist working for a major newspaper, and you’re caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You’re trying to shoot career making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water. Nature is unleashing all of its destructive fury.

Suddenly you see a man floundering in the water. He is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken down with the debris. You move closer… somehow the man looks familiar. You suddenly realize who it is. It’s George W. Bush!

At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take him under… forever. You have two options - you can save the life of G.W. Bush or you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo, documenting the death of one of the world’s most powerful men.

So here’s the question, and please give an honest answer:

Would you select high contrast color film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?

Comments:

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Cindi United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 12:37 PM

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Black and white.  It’s the way he sees the world, so a fitting tribute as he leaves it.

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The stupid!  It burns!!

Paul Burdick United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 03:06 PM

Paul Burdick pic

I’d save him.  You can choose to act based on how the world is or how you want the world to be.

Brock United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 03:59 PM

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As embarrassed as I am to admit it, I’d probably save him too.

That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t duck him a couple of times first then pull his pants down around his ankles. That would make him more apt to think he was really going to drown.

I’d probably make him promise to get me a date with his nephew John Ellis Bush before I saved him. John’s pants would probably get pulled down too.


John Bush’s mug shot after he was arrested Sept. 16, 2005 and charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest.

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“At six I was left an orphan.  What the hell is a six year old supposed to do with an orphan?”
Unknown

Cindi United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 04:24 PM

Cindi pic

You guys have so much more compassion than I do anymore.  I’d like to think I would save the little bastard, but I dislike that “man” so much,I honestly do not know if I would.  Pretty shameful, I guess.

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The stupid!  It burns!!

Greg United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 05:15 PM

Greg pic

Hmm. I’d use my digital camera and convert the image to B&W. The best of both worlds smile

Ragman United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 05:29 PM

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Of course you’d have to save him. 

And let everyone know on nat’l news how liberal you are.

Neil Great Britain (UK) Posted on 09/22/2005 at 06:03 PM

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Given that the actual question was what kind of picture you’d take, im going to go with Black and White. Im not a fan of high contrast coloured pictures, especially something that’s supposed to be a dramatic shot, it’s just not as grabbing.

As for teh ethical question of saving him, im afraid i’d have to do it. Hell i’d dive in to save hitler rather than let him drown, doesnt mean i wouldnt beat the crap out of him and tied him up though. Damn concience.

Uber Gaijin United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 06:21 PM

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I really, strongly, dislike Bush.  But, I would definately save him over clicking a photo of his death.  That’s just tacky.

nowiser United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 06:34 PM

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That Pulitzer is going to look great on my mantle.

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It vexes me when they would constrain science by the authority of the Scriptures, and yet do not consider themselves bound to answer reason and experiment—Galileo

PenetratingShaftOfTruthAndSemen United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 08:51 PM

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I’d tie Cheney to his ankles and let good ole Dick drag him down.

Les United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 09:33 PM

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I don’t know if you guys noticed or not, but it’s filed under humor. It was just a joke. Relax.

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Gods dont kill people. People with Gods kill people. - David Viaene

Tish Australia Posted on 09/22/2005 at 09:36 PM

Tish pic

Full-color for me.
I’d throw over to him the blow-up sex-doll I keep for blackmail purposes, take the photo and it’ll be:
Bush in Kinky-Sex-Death-Tragedy!

TheJynXeD United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 10:35 PM

TheJynXeD pic

I’d save him, only after he’d sworn to:

A) Fire: Cheney, Rice, Rove, and Rumsfeld for being the criminals that they are, then make sure they were arrested and detained at Gitmo as “enemy combatants”.

B) Cancel any and all government contracts with Haliburton, and put a ban on any future government contracts with said corporation.

C) Admit to making a mistake about invading Iraq (publically). Make a formal apology about said mistake on international television to our military members, their families, and the citizens of Iraq.

D) Admit on international television that he and his cronies rigged the last two presidential elections.

The list could go on forever, but those are the four main points.

But to answer your question: I wouldn’t even waste the film.

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“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

-Mahatma Ghandi

Clipgirl United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 10:52 PM

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I’d have someone take a picture of me saving him (in black and white) and then I’d have another picture taken of me bitch slapping him.

RDNewman United States Posted on 09/22/2005 at 11:21 PM

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Les,

I know it’s a joke and I hate to throw cold water on it, but some the posts here crossed the line.

I live in Idaho where a used car dealer once tried to drum up business by advertising a “free shotgun or rifle with every truck purchase.” I kid you not.

I enjoyed that one.  Less amusing were the bumper stickers common during Pres. Clinton’s term: “Charles Heston is my President.”

Well, I’d save ol’ Chuck and as many lives as I think he’s cost us, I’d save President Bush too.  Because vote for him or not and for better or worse, he’s my country’s president.  And I hope I’d have the presence of mind to address him as Mr. President. 

We’re no better than the redneck with that bumper sticker if we don’t.

Sorry to get all serious on you but civility counts for something.

Neodromos United States Posted on 09/23/2005 at 06:55 AM

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I’d save him. Granted, he’s a terrible leader, and his blunders have led to the deaths of millions, but even an executioner prefers to remain anonymous. I’ve, sadly, had to watch more than a few people die in front of me through illness and work related incidents and its never something to be taken lightly. Every man deserves some dignity in death. On a lighter note, I’d use color, the skin turns to a lovely pallid purple and blue when blood flow stops and that’s just something you can’t get with black and white.

Neodromos United States Posted on 09/23/2005 at 06:59 AM

Neodromos pic

Sorry, didn’t mean to say millions, although if he keeps this up it will get there soon enough. Economic sanctions, invading two countries, failure to provide for natural disasters, etc.

Les United States Posted on 09/23/2005 at 07:23 AM

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Well if we’re going to get all serious about it then I should mention that I’d try to save him regardless of whether or not I recognized him. That’s just my nature as I’m not the sort that can stand by and watch anyone die that I had any chance of helping out. I’m sappy like that.

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Gods dont kill people. People with Gods kill people. - David Viaene

decrepitoldfool United States Posted on 09/23/2005 at 09:28 AM

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Fortunately I can barely swim well enough not to drown myself, let alone saving anyone else.  If I were a good swimmer, I’d save him and regret it for the rest of my life.  That man and the incompetocracy that is the brain tumor in the once Grand Old Party are the proximate cause of the decline of my country - hardly worthy of honor regardless of the office he holds.

zilch Austria Posted on 09/23/2005 at 09:39 AM

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I guess I’d have to pull him out too.  Now, if I could only save one person, and the Dalai Lama, or even Dwight David Eisenhower, were floundering in there with the Dub, I would feel better about my choice.

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You were born.  And so you’re free.  So happy birthday.
- Laurie Anderson

Ken United States Posted on 09/23/2005 at 11:50 AM

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I think you all got it wrong…
Even in your wildest fantasies Bush would never put himself that close to any kind of natural disaster.
Even for the sake of a humorous post. My mind just can’t conceive of it ever happening.

Uber Gaijin United States Posted on 09/23/2005 at 12:33 PM

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Bush would never put himself that close to any kind of natural disaster.

Bush is a disaster...natural or otherwise.  Heh heh.

Brock United States Posted on 09/23/2005 at 03:34 PM

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You gotta love when a news station actually tells the truth: Bush, he’s one of the worst disasters…

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“At six I was left an orphan.  What the hell is a six year old supposed to do with an orphan?”
Unknown

Adam M. United States Posted on 09/23/2005 at 05:36 PM

Adam M. pic

Nice shot, Brock! Did you catch that one yourself?

Adam M. United States Posted on 09/23/2005 at 05:47 PM

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For the record…

Serious: Yes, I’d save him.

Humorous: I’d use digital, for the flexibility.

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